Photographic Society to look at Colorado, Loveland and the arts

"First and Last Light, Zabriskie Point" by JR Schnelzer won best of show in the traditional master class at the Loveland Photographic Society's competition last month.
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Special to the Reporter-Herald
)

Marcie Erion, creative director for the city of Loveland, will be the featured speaker for Monday meeting of the Loveland Photographic Society.

In her first year directing the Office of Creative Sector Development in the city of Loveland, Marcie Erion said it's been exciting -- and a challenge. "There was no precedent, no one to offer training," she says. When Erion took the position as business development specialist, she had to create a plan and specific goals based on the needs of Loveland. Very little time has passed, but she is already making a difference.

The creative industries, of which photography is a part, is considered one of 14 key industries within the state of Colorado and identified by Gov. John Hickenlooper's Colorado Blueprint -- an economic development strategic plan.

The blueprint has given Colorado a framework to build a comprehensive economic development plan that aligns existing efforts and identifies opportunities for growth and focused investments. From a state perspective, the creative industries include six creative sectors: design, film and media, heritage, literary and publishing, performing arts, and visual arts and crafts.

Colorado ranks sixth in the nation in percent of its workforce in creative class occupations. These jobs are well-distributed across the state; in fact, Colorado has 10 of the nation's top 25 non-metro counties in concentration of creative occupations -- Loveland is one of these 10 communities.

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Loveland is home to more than 2,500 creatives-- about 8 percent of our workforce -- and a sector that keeps growing every year due to the support and resources available locally and regionally.

Initially the arts movement began around the foundry/sculpture industry when an industrial foundry started pouring bronze at the request of a couple of local sculptors. The number of sculptors and sculpture related businesses grew exponentially. Then in town, the sculpture shows were developed, an impactful museum expansion came online, and the first public arts program was established.

Marcie Erion of the city of Loveland's Office of Creative Sector Development will speak to the Loveland Photographic Society on Sept. 9.
(
Special to the Reporter-Herald
)

Forty years later, here we are -- a multifaceted, multigenerational arts and creative community that still embraces sculpture but also photographers, jewelry makers, glass blowers, painters, quilters, designers, publishers, brewers and the list goes on.

In Loveland the creative sector also includes high tech companies like robotics, sensor and software development, unmanned aerial systems and aerospace engineering. Just like with a work of art, these are based on intellectual property and creative problem solving.

Towns, cities, counties and the state are focusing resources to leverage this sector to strengthen the economy through tourism, sales tax and lodging tax increases, also jobs for employers and employees, and more. These efforts include creative district designations, grants programs, destination marketing programs, incentives, public arts programs, communitywide collaborations, professional development opportunities, and international exchanges. For many, the focus on this sector is valued for the intangibles, the aesthetic contribution to the human soul and the soul of a community. But for others who take a more business-based approach, this is a sector with tangible impact as well -- new wealth to the community which is true economic development.

So how does photography fit into the Loveland future? Drop by the meeting and see what Erion has to say.

The Loveland Photographic Society meeting will be held Monday at the Vineyard Building, 900 Josephine Court.

The club meeting is open to the public and begins at 6:15 p.m. with a short business meeting followed by the featured speaker at 6:30 and closing with the monthly photo competition.